Filter manifold
A filter manifold is provided for filtering particulates in fluid and gas streams. The filter manifold seals the inlet and outlet valves in a closed position until a filter capsule is loaded into a carriage assembly. The inlet and outlet valves are opened only when a filter capsule is properly loaded into the carriage assembly.
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This invention relates to filter manifolds and, more particularly, to manifolds for holding cylindrical filter capsules.
BACKGROUNDFilter capsules have a cylindrical filter element for filtering undesirable substances from fluid and gas streams. The undesirable substances may include solid or colloidal particulates, gels, and gas bubbles. Filter capsules have at least inlet and outlet ports and a housing for directing the stream between the inlet and outlet ports. Filter capsules also have a filter medium disposed between the inlet and outlet ports, which filters the undesirable substances in the stream.
A manifold may be used to introduce the fluid/gas stream to be filtered into the filter capsule and extract the clean stream from the filter capsule. The manifold may supply the substance-laden stream to the filter via the inlet port, and may extract the filtered stream, or filtrate, via the outlet port. The filter must be mounted in the manifold so that feed and filtrate fittings may be sealingly attached to the filter capsule's inlet and outlet ports, respectively. In many manifolds, the filter capsule is mounted to the manifold using a male fitting which may be manually screwed into a corresponding female fitting in the manifold. Similarly, when the useful life of the filter capsule has expired because, for example, the filter medium is clogged with the undesirable substances removed from the stream, the filter capsule must be removed from the manifold by manually untwisting the filter capsule's fitting from the corresponding fitting. Similarly, the manifold's multiple fittings must also be manually attached to the filter capsule's inlet and outlet ports, and then manually opened or closed to permit the filter capsule to process the stream.
This type of manifold has many disadvantages. Since manifolds may hold multiple filter capsules, installing and removing multiple capsules may be a time consuming and intricate, manually dexterous process. It may be difficult to confirm when the filter capsule is properly seated in the manifold and insure a proper fluid-tight seal between the capsule and manifold. Similarly, it may also be difficult to insure that the filter capsule is present and properly seated before the feed and extract fittings are opened to introduce the stream into the capsule. This is particularly important for many fluids which are toxic or corrosive, and when handling the capsule filled with the fluid may be hazardous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance the present invention, a filter manifold system is provided which permits a filter capsule to be quickly and easily loaded and which permits the user to open the manifold when the filter capsule is properly seated in the manifold, thus insuring a proper fluid-tight seal between the capsule and manifold. The filter manifold comprises a filter capsule for filtering a substance-laden stream, a housing, and a carriage assembly disposed in the housing.
The carriage assembly comprises a filter tray for receiving and holding the filter capsule. A lifting arm operatively engages the filter tray for moving the filter tray between an initial loading position and a final position. A valve actuator operatively engages the filter tray for activating the inlet and outlet valves such that the valve actuator moves between an inactive position in which the valve actuator does not open the inlet and outlet valves and an activated position in which the valve actuator opens the inlet and outlet valves in response to insertion of the filter capsule into the filter tray.
The filter manifold further comprises a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly has a handle rotatably mounted on the housing to move between the initial or open position and an activated final or closed position. The handle is operatively connected to the lifting arm so that the lifting arm moves between the open and closed positions in response to movement of the handle. The lifting arm is disposed in the initial loading position so that the filter tray may receive the filter capsule when the handle is in the initial position. The lifting arm and valve actuator are lifted to the activated position in response to movement of the handle to the activated position.
The filter manifold system further comprises an inlet valve for delivering the stream to the filter capsule and an outlet valve for delivering the stream from the filter capsule disposed in the housing. The inlet and outlet valves have pinch arms which move between a closed position preventing the stream from passing through the valve and an open position permitting the stream to pass through the inlet and outlet valves so that the inlet and outlet valves are in fluid communication with the filter capsule. The pinch arms move to the open position and open the inlet and outlet valves when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the handle is in the activated position.
In a preferred embodiment, the filter manifold system comprises a valve actuator having a base, an actuator spring which biases the valve actuator toward the inactive position, and at least one downwardly projecting pin attached to the base. The pin is disposed so that it projects into the path of the filter capsule when the filter capsule is inserted into the filter tray and permits the filter capsule to move the valve actuator to the activated position. The valve actuator may further comprise a plurality of upstanding legs attached to the base and disposed below the inlet and outlet valves. The legs are disposed so that the legs engage the valve and cause the pinch valve to move to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the filter tray is in the final position. The legs do not engage the valve and the valve remains in the closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the filter tray is in the final position.
The valve preferably comprises a wedge sleeve which moves between an upper open position and a lower closed position. The wedge sleeve has a first hole which slidably receives the pinch arms and a tapered wall which slidably engages the pinch arms in response to movement between the upper open position and the lower closed position. The tapered wall causes the pinch arms to move to the closed position so that the valve is closed when the wedge sleeve is in the lower closed position. The tapered wall in the wedge sleeve permits the pinch arms to move to the open position when the wedge sleeve is in the upper open position.
In yet another embodiment, the valve may comprise a spring operatively engaging the wedge sleeve to bias the wedge sleeve toward the lower closed position. Thus, the plurality of upstanding legs attached to the base and disposed below the inlet and outlet valves are preferably disposed so that the legs engage the wedge sleeve and push the wedge sleeve to the upper open position. In this position, the pinch arms are able to move to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the filter tray is in the final position. The legs also are disposed so that the legs do not engage the wedge sleeve and the wedge sleeve remains in the lower closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the filter tray is in the final position.
The valve may preferably comprise a flexible sealing tube disposed between the pinch arms so that the tube is open when the pinch arms are in the open position and the pinch arms push against the sealing tube in the closed position to seal the walls of the tube against each other and close the valve.
The preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in greater detail with reference to the following drawings. While various illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in the following drawings, the drawings should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.
It will be appreciated that this detailed description provides exemplary embodiments of the invention. Since other embodiments of the invention may differ in detail from the embodiments in this detailed description, the detailed description is intended to reference the particular embodiments being discussed at that point and is not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the invention more generally.
As best shown in
The manifold 10 has a carriage assembly 30 for receiving and holding the filter capsule 12. The carriage assembly 30 moves in a generally vertical direction between: (1) a lower or initial position shown in
The manifold 10 has a handle 24. When the handle 24 is rotated between (1) the initial or open position in
Preferred embodiments of the manifold's valves 16, 18 are illustrated in greater detail in
Referring to the exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the carriage assembly 30 in
In a preferred embodiment, the filter tray 34 has a body 34a and two depending sides 34b. The filter tray sides 34b have at least one detent 40b/41b which cooperates with the slots 40a, 41a in the main shuttle 32. The detent 40b/41b is preferably formed as a flexible part of the tray sides 34b. The detent, which is biased outwardly, is adapted to flex inwardly when it engages the main bracket side 32b so that it does not interfere with the insertion of the filter tray 34 into the main shuttle 32. When the detent 41b clears the walls, it biases outwardly and is adapted to closely fit inside the holding slot 41a, and thus hold the filter tray 34 in the main shuttle 32. It will be appreciated that the filter tray 34 may be removed from the main shuttle 32 by pressing the detent 40b inwardly so that the detent 41b clears the slot 41a, and then slidably withdraws the tray 34 out of the shuttle 32.
The main shuttle 32 has a plurality of slots or holes 35 which permit the two upstanding arms 36 to be inserted into the slots 35 from the channel. The tops of the arms 36 also have at least one hole 39 which may be releasably attached to the lifting mechanism. The arms 36 have a bottom rim 36a which is slightly wider than the slots 35 and prevents the arms 36 from passing through the slots 35. The arms 36 may have a flexible, tapered portion 36b which deflects slightly as it passes through the bracket slot 35. Once through the slot 35, the tapered portion 36b expands to create a snap-fit to the shuttle body 32a. It will be appreciated that, after the arms 36 are inserted into the slot 35 and the filter tray 34 is slidably inserted into the main shuttle 32, the arms 36 are trapped between the shuttle body 32a and the filter tray body 34a. Consequently, pushing and/or pulling on the arms 36 will cause the carriage assembly 30 and filter capsule 12 to move in the vertical direction. It will also be appreciated that the carriage assembly 30 may be raised and lowered in response to the lifting mechanism which raises and lowers the two upstanding arms 36. To facilitate assembly, the filter tray body 34a forms a ledge 31 which provides clearance for the arm's rim 36a when the filter tray 34 is inserted into the main shuttle 32.
The main shuttle 32 also has at least one actuator slot 43, and preferably two slots 43, to receive the valve actuator 38 and permits the valve actuator 38 to move between inactive and activated positions. The valve actuator 38 preferably has a generally H-shaped base 45 formed by two sets of parallel bars, two sets of upstanding parallel legs 46, and at least one pin 44, and preferably two pins 44, projecting downwardly through the actuator slots 43. In the inactive position, actuator springs 47, disposed in the carriage assembly 30, bias the valve actuator 38 outwardly toward the opening of the main bracket channel (i.e., to the left in
The main shuttle 32 has holes 16a, 18a and the filter tray 34 has holes 16b, 18b which correspond to valves 16, 18, respectively, and permit the valves 16, 18 to pass through the carriage assembly 30 to form a fluid tight seal with the filter 12. It will be appreciated that these holes are disposed so they will not be obstructed as the valve actuator 38 moves between the inactive and activated positions.
The valves 16, 18, shown in greater detail in
The valves have a spring 56 disposed between the spring plate 55 and wedge sleeve 57. The valve housing 53, which is slightly wider than the spring plate 55, anchors one side of the spring plate 55 so that the spring 56 may bias the wedge sleeve 57 away from the spring plate 55, which is downward in
The valves have a sealing tube 60 which may be opened and closed by the pinch arms 58. Since the sealing tube 60 is pinched closed by the arms 58, the tube 60 is preferably made of a high resilience polymeric material. One end of the sealing tube 60 may be attached in a press-fit fashion to a plurality of barbs, teeth or grooves 52a at the end of the valve fitting 52. A capsule port 62 may also be attached in a press-fit fashion to the other end of the sealing tube 60 using a plurality of barbs, teeth or grooves 62a. The barbed ends of the valve fitting 52 and capsule port 62 are preferably tapered to facilitate compression of the sealing tube 60 between the valve fitting 52 and capsule port 62 and valve housing 53. The capsule port 62 is disposed at the bottom of the valve system so that the capsule port 62 may releasably engage the inlet and outlet ports 20a, 20b in the filter capsule. The capsule port 62 is secured to the valve housing 53 using a lower port cap 64. The port cap 64 has female threads which cooperate with the male threads on the lower portion of the valve housing 53. A fluid tight seal is formed between the sealing tube 60 and capsule port 62. As best shown in
The wedge sleeve 57 has a main first hole 66 which is adapted to slidably receive the valve housing 53 and pinch arms 58. The wedge sleeve 57, which is adapted to slide relative to the valve fitting 52 and pinch arms 58, moves between (1) an upper or open position, (2) an intermediate, partially closed position, and (3) a closed or lower position as shown in
As best shown in
In accordance with the invention, the valves 16, 18 and the carriage assembly 30 cooperate together to open and close the valves. It will be appreciated that the valves 16, 18 are generally disposed within the manifold housing. Referring to
The lifting assembly is shown in
Referring to
Referring to the lifting assembly shown in
One end of the slider link 110 has an axle 112 which is adapted to fit into the hole 39 of the lifting arm 36. The other end of the slider link 110 has a hole 114 which is adapted to receive a shaft 111 on the crank link 104. When the manifold is assembled, the slider link 110 is disposed between the right support structure 82 and the crank link 104, and the slider link 110 pivots relative to the arm hole 39 and shaft 111. The right support structure 82 has a slot 96 in the wall which permits the shaft 112 to move in a vertical direction.
To operate the lifting assembly, the handle 24 and carriage assembly 30 start in the initial open position shown in
Once the filtration process is completed, the filter capsule 12 may be unloaded from the manifold system 10 by rotating the handle 24 from the closed position (
As the lifting arms 36 lower the carriage assembly, the valve actuator 38 and the actuator legs 46 are also lowered away from the wedge sleeve 57. In response to the downward movement of the actuator legs 46, the downward biasing force of the wedge spring 56 causes the wedge sleeve 57 to move downward. The downward movement of the wedge sleeve 57 causes the tapered wall 67 to engage the pinch arms 58 and force the pinch arms 58 to pivot from the open position (
When the handle 24 is rotated to the open position, the detent 107 engages the locking nub 108 in a detent fashion to hold the lifting assembly in the lower, open position. Once the carriage assembly is disposed in the lower or initial position, the user may use the finger tab 23 to slide the filter capsule 12 out of the filter tray 34.
This disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. The disclosure will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in the art. All these variations and alternatives are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention and appended claims. Those familiar with the art may recognized other equivalents to the embodiments described herein which are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.
Claims
1. A filter manifold system comprising:
- a housing;
- a filter capsule, the filter capsule disposed in the housing;
- a first valve and a second valve, the first valve and the second valve each defining a valve passage and each comprising a plurality of movable pinch arms, the movable pinch arms movable over a range of travel between an open valve position in which the respective valve passage is in fluid communication with the filter capsule to permit a stream to pass through the valve passage and a closed valve position in which the respective valve passage is occluded to substantially prevent the stream from passing through the respective valve passage;
- a carriage assembly, the carriage assembly disposed in the housing, the carriage assembly comprising a filter tray, a lifting arm, and a valve actuator, the filter tray receiving and holding the filter capsule, the lifting arm operatively engaged with the filter tray for moving the carriage assembly between an initial loading position and a final position, and the valve actuator operatively attached to the filter tray for activating the first valve and the second valve, and wherein the valve actuator is operatively attached to the filter tray such that the valve actuator moves, in response to insertion of the filter capsule into the filter tray, from an inactive position in which the valve actuator is disengaged from the first valve and the second valve when the carriage assembly is in the final position to an activated position in which the valve actuator is engaged with the first valve and the second valve such that the respective movable pinch arms are disposed in the open valve position when the carriage assembly is in the final position;
- a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly comprising a handle, the handle rotatably mounted on the housing to move over a range of travel between a first lift position and a second lift position, and the handle being operatively connected to the lifting arm so that, when the handle is in the first lift position, the carriage assembly is disposed in the initial loading position, and, in response to movement of the handle from the first lift position to the second lift position, the carriage assembly moves from the initial loading position to the final position.
2. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the valve actuator comprises a base, an actuator spring, and a pin, the actuator spring being configured to bias the valve actuator toward the inactive position, and the pin attached to the base such that the pin engages the filter capsule when the filter capsule is inserted into the filter tray to thereby move the valve actuator to the activated position.
3. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the valve actuator comprises a plurality of upstanding legs attached to the base and disposed so that at least one of the legs engages the first valve and at least one other of the legs engages the second valve to cause the respective pinch arms to move to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the carriage assembly is in the final position, and so that the legs do not engage the first valve or the second valve and the first valve and the second valve remain in the closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the carriage assembly is in the final position.
4. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first valve and the second valve comprises a wedge sleeve, each wedge sleeve being movable over a range of travel between a first wedge position and a second wedge position, each wedge sleeve including a tapered wall slidably engaged with the pinch arms of the first valve and the second valve, respectively such that the tapered wall causes the pinch arms of the first valve and the second valve, respectively, to move to the closed position when the associated wedge sleeve is in the second wedge position and such that the tapered wall permits the pinch arms of the first valve and the second valve, respectively, to move to the open position when the associated wedge sleeve is in the first wedge position.
5. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of the first valve and the second valve comprises a spring operatively engaging the wedge sleeve of the first valve and the second valve, respectively, to bias the engaged wedge sleeve toward the second wedge position.
6. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the valve actuator comprises a base, an actuator spring, and a pin, the actuator spring being configured to bias the valve actuator toward the inactive position, and the pin attached to the base such that the pin engages the filter capsule when the filter capsule is inserted into the filter tray to thereby move the valve actuator to the activated position.
7. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the valve actuator comprises a plurality of upstanding legs attached to the base and disposed so that at least one of the legs engages the wedge sleeve of the first valve and at least one other of the legs engages the wedge valve of the second valve to move both of the wedge sleeves to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the carriage assembly is in the final position, and so that the legs do not engage the wedge sleeve of either the first valve or the second valve and the wedge sleeves remain in the closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the carriage assembly is in the final position.
8. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the first valve and the second valve comprises a flexible sealing tube, each flexible sealing tube defining, at least in part, the valve passage of the first valve and the second valve, respectively, each flexible sealing tube disposed between the respective pinch arms of the first valve and the second valve so that the flexible sealing tube is open when the respective pinch arms are in the open valve position and the pinch arms compress the flexible sealing tube so that the flexible sealing tube is occluded when the respective pinch arms are in the closed position.
9. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a crank link, the crank link having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the crank link is operatively attached to the handle and the second end is operatively attached to the carriage assembly so that rotation of the handle from the first lift position to the second lift position causes the second end of the crank link to move the carriage assembly from the initial loading position to the final position.
10. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the housing defines a generally vertical slot disposed between the lifting arm and the crank link and configured to permit the lifting arm to operatively attach to the second end of the crank link so that rotational movement of the handle translates into vertical movement of the carriage assembly.
11. A filter manifold system comprising:
- a housing;
- a filter capsule, the filter capsule disposed in the housing;
- a valve, the valve defining a valve passage and comprising a plurality of movable pinch arms, the movable pinch arms movable over a range of travel between an open valve position in which the valve passage is in fluid communication with the filter capsule to permit a stream to pass through the valve passage and a closed valve position in which the valve passage is occluded to substantially prevent the stream from passing through the valve passage;
- a carriage assembly, the carriage assembly disposed in the housing, the carriage assembly comprising a filter tray, a lifting arm, and a valve actuator, the filter tray receiving and holding the filter capsule, the lifting arm operatively engaging the filter tray for moving the filter tray between an initial loading position and a final position, and the valve actuator operatively engaging the filter tray for activating the valve, and wherein the valve actuator is operatively attached to the filter tray such that the valve actuator moves, in response to insertion of the filter capsule into the filter tray, from an inactive position in which the valve actuator is disengaged from the valve when the carriage assembly is in the final position to an activated position in which the valve actuator is engaged with the valve such that the movable pinch arms are disposed in the open valve position when the carriage assembly is in the final position;
- a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly comprising a handle, the handle rotatably mounted on the housing to move over a range of travel between a first lift position and a second lift position, and the handle being operatively connected to the lifting arm so that, when the handle is in the first lift position, the carriage assembly is disposed in the initial loading position, and, in response to movement of the handle from the first lift position to the second lift position, the carriage assembly moves from the initial loading position to the final position.
12. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the valve actuator comprises a base, an actuator spring, and a pin, the actuator spring being configured to bias the valve actuator toward the inactive position, and the pin attached to the base such that the pin engages the filter capsule when the filter capsule is inserted into the filter tray to thereby move the valve actuator to the activated position.
13. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 12, wherein the valve actuator comprises at least one upstanding leg attached to the base and disposed so that said at least one leg engages the valve to cause the pinch arms to move to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the carriage assembly is in the final position, and so that said at least one leg does not engage the valve and the valve remains in the closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the carriage assembly is in the final position.
14. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the valve comprises a wedge sleeve, the wedge sleeve being movable over a range of travel between a first wedge position and a second wedge position, the wedge sleeve including a tapered wall slidably engaged with the pinch arms such that the tapered wall causes the pinch arms to move to the closed position when the wedge sleeve is in the second wedge position and such that the tapered wall permits the pinch arms to move to the open position when the wedge sleeve is in the first wedge position.
15. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the valve comprises a spring operatively engaging the wedge sleeve to bias the wedge sleeve toward the second wedge position.
16. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 15, wherein the valve actuator comprises a base, an actuator spring, and a pin, the actuator spring being configured to bias the valve actuator toward the inactive position, and the pin attached to the base such that the pin engages the filter capsule when the filter capsule is inserted into the filter tray to thereby move the valve actuator to the activated position.
17. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the valve actuator comprises a leg, the leg attached to the base so that the leg engages the wedge sleeve to move the wedge sleeve to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the carriage assembly is in the final position, and so that the leg does not engage the wedge sleeve and the wedge sleeve remains in the closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the carriage assembly is in the final position.
18. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the valve comprises a flexible sealing tube, the flexible sealing tube disposed between the pinch arms so that the flexible sealing tube is open when the pinch arms are in the open valve position and the pinch arms compress the flexible sealing tube so that the flexible sealing tube is occluded when the pinch arms are in the closed position.
19. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a crank link, the crank link having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the crank link is operatively attached to the handle and the second end is operatively attached to the carriage assembly so that rotation of the handle from the first lift position to the second lift position causes the second end of the crank link to move the carriage assembly from the initial loading position to the final position.
20. The filter manifold system as set forth in claim 19, wherein the housing defines a generally vertical slot disposed between the lifting arm and the crank link and configured to permit the lifting arm to operatively attach to the second end of the crank link so that rotational movement of the handle translates into vertical movement of the carriage assembly.
21. A filter manifold for receiving and holding a filter capsule, the manifold comprising:
- a housing;
- a valve, the valve defining a valve passage and comprising a plurality of movable pinch arms, the movable pinch arms movable over a range of travel between an open valve position in which the valve passage is open to permit a stream to pass through the valve passage and a closed valve position in which the valve passage is occluded to substantially prevent the stream from passing through the valve passage;
- a carriage assembly, the carriage assembly disposed in the housing, the carriage assembly comprising a filter tray, a lifting arm, and a valve actuator, the filter tray for receiving and holding the filter capsule, the lifting arm operatively engaging the filter tray for moving the filter tray between an initial loading position and a final position, and the valve actuator operatively engaging the filter tray for activating the valve, and wherein the valve actuator is operatively attached to the filter tray such that the valve actuator moves, in response to insertion of the filter capsule into the filter tray, from an inactive position in which the valve actuator is disengaged from the valve when the carriage assembly is in the final position to an activated position in which the valve actuator is engaged with the valve such that the movable pinch arms are disposed in the open valve position when the carriage assembly is in the final position;
- a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly comprising a handle, the handle rotatably mounted on the housing to move over a range of travel between a first lift position and a second lift position, and the handle being operatively connected to the lifting arm so that, when the handle is in the first lift position, the carriage assembly is disposed in the initial loading position, and, in response to movement of the handle from the first lift position to the second lift position, the carriage assembly moves from the initial loading position to the final position.
22. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 21, wherein the valve actuator comprises a base, an actuator spring, and a pin, the actuator spring being configured to bias the valve actuator toward the inactive position, and the pin attached to the base such that the pin engages the filter capsule when the filter capsule is inserted into the filter tray to thereby move the valve actuator to the activated position.
23. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 22, wherein the valve actuator comprises at least one upstanding leg attached to the base and disposed so that said at least one leg engages the valve to cause the pinch arms to move to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the carriage assembly is in the final position, and so that said at least one leg does not engage the valve and the valve remains in the closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the carriage assembly is in the final position.
24. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 21, wherein the valve comprises a wedge sleeve, the wedge sleeve being movable over a range of travel between a first wedge position and a second wedge position, the wedge sleeve including a tapered wall slidably engaged with the pinch arms such that the tapered wall causes the pinch arms to move to the closed position when the wedge sleeve is in the second wedge position and such that the tapered wall permits the pinch arms to move to the open position when the wedge sleeve is in the first wedge position.
25. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 24, wherein the valve comprises a spring operatively engaging the wedge sleeve to bias the wedge sleeve toward the second wedge position.
26. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 25, wherein the valve actuator comprises a base, an actuator spring, and a pin, the actuator spring being configured to bias the valve actuator toward the inactive position, and the pin attached to the base such that the pin engages the filter capsule when the filter capsule is inserted into the filter tray to thereby move the valve actuator to the activated position.
27. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 26, wherein the valve actuator comprises a leg, the leg attached to the base so that the leg engages the wedge sleeve to move the wedge sleeve to the open position when the valve actuator is in the activated position and the carriage assembly is in the final position, and so that the leg does not engage the wedge sleeve and the wedge sleeve remains in the closed position when the valve actuator is in the inactive position and the carriage assembly is in the final position.
28. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 21, wherein the valve comprises a flexible sealing tube, the flexible sealing tube disposed between the pinch arms so that the flexible sealing tube is open when the pinch arms are in the open valve position and the pinch arms compress the flexible sealing tube so that the flexible sealing tube is occluded when the pinch arms are in the closed position.
29. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 21, wherein the lifting assembly comprises a crank link, the crank link having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the crank link is operatively attached to the handle and the second end is operatively attached to the carriage assembly so that rotation of the handle from the first lift position to the second lift position causes the second end of the crank link to move the carriage assembly from the initial loading position to the final position.
30. The filter manifold as set forth in claim 29, wherein the housing defines a generally vertical slot disposed between the lifting arm and the crank link and configured to permit the lifting arm to operatively attach to the second end of the crank link so that rotational movement of the handle translates into vertical movement of the carriage assembly.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 31, 2013
Date of Patent: Dec 27, 2016
Patent Publication Number: 20150113925
Assignee: Pall Corporation (Port Washington, NY)
Inventors: Anthony William Gatica (Cedar Park, TX), Brian Anthony Palermo (Dryden, NY), Mark William Foohey (Austin, TX)
Primary Examiner: Amber R Orlando
Assistant Examiner: Britanny Precht
Application Number: 14/068,572
International Classification: B01D 35/30 (20060101); B01D 46/42 (20060101);